The Dear Hunter

Any free mp3 samples? =P

dpedal1 wrote: I have been meaning to check out TDH, but if they are anything like Melt Banana, there is no way I am going to touch them.  Melt Banana is just pure noise.

Don't worry. There are no similarities between the two.

I have heard both of their albums several times, and while I do enjoy them (both 4 star quality in my book) I do not quite exactly understand the amount of hype I've been hearing over them (not on this site exactly, but in general; a friend of mine).

The music is rather consistently great, but the vocals go back and forth for me; at times I think his vocals are very suitable and tasteful, at other times I find myself with a bitter taste over them--they seem too formulaic at times...like I'm not sure I can describe it--and the music itself evokes too many images of common pop music at times for me to really immerse myself in it.

That's not really me ratting on the music per se, considering I do enjoy it and I am looking forward to other releases; I just can't really get around the vocalist being called "awesome" and "perfect"...he's got a good voice, but his voice also cracks at times which I don't mind--or I wouldn't if this were recognized.

I dunno, it's a split bag. Part of me loves this band, and another part is second-guessing myself. And it's not like the music is complicated (another thing I don't really understand people saying)...there are a solid number of layers to each song, but I've already unraveled most of the songs and I've had the albums for about two weeks. I'm just not so sure how I feel.

Like I said, if I were reviewing either of their albums, it'd be four stars easy--because the music, while simple mostly, is earnest and well-performed as well as interesting--and I have nothing AT ALL against poppier eccentricities , it just wasn't exactly what I was expecting when I read things about this band's complexity. So I mean...it'd be an easy 4 stars for either album...but with reservations.

Maybe they'll grow on me...that tends to happen frequently with me (Ulver's "Blood Inside" was my least favorite album of theirs for a long while...as of late, it is my undisputed favorite...so you know how these things go...it's a long back-and-forward rollarcoaster)

Anyway, that's my take after two weeks with each album...sorry it became so lengthy.

Edited by king volta - February 20 2008 at 20:29

Not too impressed with them, but I must say that I like Act I about 10x more than Act II. The whiney, screechy vocals are a huge turn-off...

I have to say I haven't noticed any "whiney screechy" vocals so far!

bionicbear wrote: they are good but the remind me too much of Portugal. The Man.....just not as good. dont get me wrong I think the Dear Hunter is good just a tad overrated. Might want to check out portugal the man if you like them

Hmm. I see the Portugal comparison. I like them both about equally though:

Dear Hunter has more "progressive" music generally (though Portugal is very relaxed and more focused); Portugal have far superior vocals and some very decent compositions, although most of their newest album was kind of disappointing in my opinion.

Definitely anyone interested should check out both "Waiter. You Vultures!" (their debut) and "It's Complicated Being a Wizard" (an awesome, mostly-electronic EP).

moreitsythanyou wrote: bionicbear wrote: they are good but the remind me too much of Portugal. The Man.....just not as good. dont get me wrong I think the Dear Hunter is good just a tad overrated. Might want to check out portugal the man if you like them PTM remind me more of The Mars Volta than The Dear Hunter but I can sort of see your point.They're a good band, in case you're wondering.

they are good. just thought I'd second that. even though I already did in an earlier post.

Hmmm.


But yes, they are good.

SpaceMonkey wrote: It's all in the individual's preference. Sonic Youth, the name sounds familiar, and I never heard of Melt Banana. Are they a worthy purchase for someone psyched about TDH for the moment?

Sonic Youth is great.  As is Melt Banana.

dpedal1 wrote: I have been meaning to check out TDH, but if they are anything like Melt Banana, there is no way I am going to touch them.  Melt Banana is just pure noise.

They aren't like Melt  Banana.  I had Deerhunter mixed up with Deerhoof.